Aligning and tabbing method and apparatus
US5393366A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1034
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Articles such as mail are rotated 90.degree., aligned at one edge, and tabs applied to the edge and wrapped around the edge. The article is carried on a belt, and a stop halts forward movement of the article as the article is received under a pivot ball and a drive ball that holds the article against the belt. The driving force causes the article to rotate about the pivot until the article is free to move further on the belt. Angled belts receive the article and urge it against an alignment fence. A tab is dispensed onto the article, and a twisted belt provides a warped surface for wrapping the tab around the edge of the article. Pressure belts press the tab firmly into position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.